Gem viewer



1950 R. A. THHENEMANN 5 3 GEM VIEWER Filed Dec. 20, 1948 i H INVENTOR RGLF A. TWENEMANN ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEM VIEWER Rolf A. Thienemann, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 20, 1948, Serial No. 66,227

1 Claim.

This invention pertains to magnifiers and more particularly to gem viewers.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a gem viewer for more conveniently examining gems and/o cut stones.

Another object of the invention is to provide a viewer which is readily manipulable to present all facets of a cut stone or gem for examination.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the gem viewer according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the device according to thepresent invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a pair of tongs for grasping and holding gems for examination;

Fig. 4 is a modified form of support for the examination of mounted gems; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Having reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the gem viewer according to the present invention comprises a base plate I to which is secured a vertical supporting plate l2. Secured to the upper end of plate I2 is a stud |3, the threaded portion M of which extends through the plate |2 sufficiently to embrace a lens support portion or bracket l5 and accommodate a thumb screw l6. Threaded into the horizontal portion of lens support I5 is a lens or magnifier Rotatably carried on the shank portion |8 of the stud 3 is a tong holder I9. Disposed between the vertical portion 2| of holder 9 and support I2 is a washer 22. Positioned between said portion 2| and the head 23 of the stud I3 is a compression spring 24, whereby the holder I9 is adapted to be retained in the position to which it has been rotated. The holder I9 is provided with a pair of horizontal arms 25 and 26 of resilient material by means of which the arms 25 and 26 are adapted to clamp the tongs 21.

Having reference to Fig. 3, the tongs 21, shown in cross section, comprises a shank 28 having an integral flange portion 29 and a hub portion 3|. Slidably carried in the shank 28 and flange portion 29 is a plunger member 32 having a thumb portion 33 and shoulder portion 34. A compression spring 35 encircling the plunger 32 is disposed between the shoulder 33 and the base of the counterbore 36.

Integral with the upper end of plunger 32 is a flange portion 31 which is adapted to cooperate with sockets 38 individual to jaws 39 pivotally supported on a fulcrum rod 4| surrounding the hub portion 3|. Although only two jaws 33 are shown in the drawings, it is understood that at least three jaws are utilized in accordance with Well known practice. The free ends of the jaws 39 are conformed with a V-shaped notch to facilitate gripping a gem 42 about its girdle 43. The jaws 39 are adapted to operate in suitable guide slots 44 in the hub 3 I As is apparent in the manipulation of the tongs 21, the flange 29 is held by the first two-fingers with the thumb bearing against the portion 33. Pressure applied by the thumb will compress spring 35, and through flange 31 and notches 38, the jaws 39 are spread apart to facilitate grasping the gem 42 at the girdle 43. Upon release of the thumb, the spring 35 imparts a gripping action to securely hold the gem 42 as the shank 28 of the tongs 21 is inserted between the resilient arms 25 and 26 of the swingable portion 2| as shown in Fig. 2.

In the practice of the invention, the jaws 39 are made of such length as to substantially align the girdle 43 with the axis 45 of the stud 3, which is the center of rotation of portion 2|. The arms 25 and 26 are so conformed, as shown in Fig. 5, as to hold the vertical center line 46 a predetermined distance from the vertical plate l2 (Fig. 2). In substantial alignment vertically with tongs 21, along center line 46, is the magnifier carried in bracket |5. Magnifier I1 is adjusted to bring the gem 42 into focus by loosening the clamping screw l6 and adjusting the bracket |5 vertically through the instrumentality of slot 41 in said bracket (Fig. 1). After the adjustment has been attained, the clamp nut I6 is again tightened. Fine and accurate focal adjustment can be attained by the threaded relation between the magnifier and the bracket |5.

As indicated in Fig. l, the bracket 2| carrying the tongs 2'| is shown in solid lines in one of its viewing positions wherein the table 48 and crown facets 49 (Fig. 3) may be examined. In the dotted line position 5| the pavilli-on facets 52 can be readily examined. It is, of course, understood that all intermediate positions are contemplated, and that the gem 42 can be rotated on axis 46 as well as on axis 45, thus providing a multitude of positions for examination. With the bracket l5 in the solid line position shown in Fig. l, the center line 46 is positioned to accommodate examination vertically. However, the bracket |5 may be adjusted to the dotted line position 53 if 3 desired to accommodate examination from a sitting position. In all of these positions, the gem 42 is in focus and examination thereof is faciliated.

A modified form of gem support is shown in Fig. 4, and comprises a neck portion 55 having an integral flange portion 55 and an integral hub like portion 51, whereby the support can be positioned between arms 25 and 26 of swingable portion or support 2!, as previously described. In the form of gem support shown in Fig. 4, a substantially V-shaped clasp 58 is attached to the portion 51 by a screw 59. The vertically directed arms BI and 62 are of resilient material and are suitably conformed to accommodate a ring 63 having a gem setting for a gem 64. The assembly shown in Fig. 4 can be substituted for the tongs 21 in Figs. 1 and 2 and upon making the adjustments as described hereinbefore universalexamination of the gem 54 can be made.

While a particular embodimentbf'the :present inventionhas been shown and. described, it isapparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

As an article of manufacture, a monomanipulable gem viewer to facilitate full examination of all of the facets, of a cut stone comprising in a unitary structure a base, a verti-- cal support integral therewith, a dual purpose stud 'threadedly held in said support, said-stud comprising a threaded portionextending beyond said-support, a shank portionand ahead portion,

magnifying means adjustably associated with said threaded portion, said magnifying means having a lens, clamping means mounted on said threaded portion for holding said magnifying means in focal position relative to said out stone, a tongs for holding said out stone, supporting means for said tongs swingably mounted on said shank portion, said supporting means having a pair of resilient gripping arms with confronting hollow portions therein, said arms conformed for removably mounting and pivotally gripping said tongs, and a compression spring means disposed around said shank and positioned between said supporting means and said head, whereby said tongs is retained through the joint action of said compression spring means and said resilient gripping arms in the position to which it has been manipulated with the stone to be examined invariably disposed substantially at the focal point of said lens.

ROW- A. THI-ENEMANN. REFERENCES strap The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,120,421 Strickland Dec. 8, 1914 1,267,862 Haefliger May 28, 1918 524,016 Campbell Jan. 27, 1925 1,567,439 l-Ieitzler Dec. 29, 1925 2,485,820 Gilbert Oct. 25, 1949 

